Israeli Minister Refuses to Apologize for Mocking Russian Accent
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli refused to apologize for mocking a "Russian" accent during a radio interview, calling it a "nice joke." The incident, which targeted Avigdor Lieberman, sparked outrage among Russian-speaking Israelis and public figures who condemned it as racism and humiliation. Chikli defended his actions by comparing them to other political insults and accusing the media of bias. Critics argue his behavior demonstrates the government's detachment from reality and disrespect towards immigrants and soldiers serving with accents.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Amichai Chikli refused to apologize for mocking a "Russian" accent on air, calling it a "nice joke."
- Avigdor Lieberman condemned Chikli's actions as humiliation based on origin and an act of racism.
- Olympic medalist Peter Paltchik called Chikli's behavior "simply a shame."
- Oded Forer linked Chikli's actions to coalition panic and government detachment from the public.
- Critics argue Chikli's "humor" reflects everyday racism towards immigrants and soldiers.
Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli has refused to apologize for mocking a "Russian" accent on air, calling it a "nice joke." During a radio interview on 103FM, Chikli stated he would not apologize for imitating Avigdor Lieberman's accent, suggesting that "a little humor from time to time doesn't hurt." He contrasted this with a prime minister being called a "fool" without a similar outcry, arguing that public storms are disproportionately directed at him and Channel 14 host Inon Magal.
The incident occurred during an interview on Radio Tzafon, where Chikli, in a bid to criticize Lieberman, adopted a broken Hebrew with a deliberately exaggerated "Russian" accent. This behavior, from a minister whose role includes uniting the Jewish people and combating xenophobia, caused widespread shock and outrage.
Lieberman responded on social media, asserting that Chikli's actions revealed the ruling party's true attitude toward immigrants, calling it humiliation based on origin and an act of racism from the Likud leadership. Many Russian-speaking Israelis viewed the incident as an insult, particularly given their significant contributions during the ongoing war.
Prominent figures like Olympic judo medalist Peter Paltchik and actor Dean Miroshnikov, a decorated former naval commando, condemned Chikli's behavior. Paltchik called it "simply a shame," while Miroshnikov recorded a video criticizing the minister.
Oded Forer, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu faction, linked Chikli's actions to coalition panic and the government's detachment from the public. He highlighted that tens of thousands of soldiers with various accents are fighting on the front lines, and a minister responsible for diaspora affairs mocking them demonstrates the coalition's disconnect from reality. Forer also noted the significant voting power of Russian-speaking citizens, whose rights, he claimed, the government has systematically undermined, including by reducing the validity of Israeli passports.
Chikli's dismissal of the racist mimicry as "very nice" escalated the dispute from a political spat to a matter of state ethics. Instead of acknowledging the unacceptability of mocking citizens' accents, the minister attempted to portray himself as a victim of biased media. However, for hundreds of thousands of Israelis whose children are currently serving with accents in Gaza and on the Lebanon border, the minister's "humor" left a distinct taste of everyday racism.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Right 1Other 2
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
